Hack Notes™ will be a bit shorter the next few weeks. I just finished up a two-month vacation and am now back at work, so I don't have as much free time to keep in touch with all my sources. It will also therefore be coming out later in the day on Wednesdays. = = = = = = = = = = [ WCW ] = = = = = = = = = = (rspw): DISCO INFERNO may be given the WCW TV title to keep him from jumping to the WWF. (net): REY MISTERIO JR's official start date with WCW is 31 July 1996. (net): DEBBIE COMBS will be feuding with MADUSA. (net): KEVIN NASH became the proud father of Tristan Nash three days after his Nitro debut. (net): WCW is trying to sign JIMMY DEL RAY, using his name JIM BACKLUND. (net): WCW plans to start a feud between ICE TRAIN and SCOTT "FLASH" NORTON, so look for friction to start in the FIRE & ICE tag team soon. (net): HULK HOGAN will be back soon but apparently only has two PPVs left in his contract (which would be the 10 August 1996 Hogg Wild and maybe the 18 August 1996 Clash of Champions). Since the company has been doing so well without him (especially with recent talent signings) Hogan is probably not going to have his contract extended (unless there is a drastic decrease in pay and booking power). This could also see the end of the main event pushes for THE BOOTY MAN and HACKSAW JIM DUGGAN. MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE will probably be the only "Friend of Hogan" to be unaffected, as he has been willing to put other wrestlers over. (net): THE ROCK AND ROLL EXPRESS signed on to work for WCW for six months. (net): Since KEVIN SULLIVAN is going to be wrestling less and concentrating more on his booking efforts, WCW is considering bringing back THE MASTER to head up the DUNGEON OF DOOM. (net): There is talk that HULK HOGAN will be feuding with THE DUNGEON OF DOOM when he returns in August. This would be a nice break as it would keep him from ruining any of the storylines containing good workers. (aol): RAVEN apparently doesn't have much interest in returning to WCW, but his friend DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE would like to have him back. RAVEN would like to finish up the storyline he's been playing out with the Raven character and also apparently doesn't really need the money. (aol): WCW really wants BRET "THE HITMAN" HART as the third member of Team WWF, but are nowhere close to signing him. So it looks like we'll either have MABEL or the "spy" angle with an ex-WWFer who has been wrestling in WCW for a while (LEX LUGER, JIM DUGGAN, RANDY SAVAGE, etc). I think Bret himself has said that he really doesn't like KEVIN NASH, so I'm guessing he wouldn't join WCW to be put in an angle with him. (aol): KEVIN NASH has vetoed MABEL as the third member of the Invaders (he's still upset about Mabel accidentally injuring everyone he wrestles). (torch): Invader#3 top candidates are TATANKA, CRUSH, and MABEL. (torch): WCW plans to bring in PSICOSIS, LA PARKA, and JUVENTUD GUERRERO in July to work matches with REY MISTERIO JR at the Orlando tapings. (torch): TOTAL PACKAGE LEX LUGER and THE GIANT wanted to follow the NFL vs WCW match at the Great American Bash because they thought it would suck, thereby making their match look better. They didn't think GREENE and MONGO would be able to pull off the match that they did. (torch): THE GIANT and WCW brass were upset at SCOTT STEINER for suplexing Wight at the 17 June 1996 Nitro. (torch): TERRY TAYLOR re-signed with WCW, with his salary going up to about $150,000 (about double what he pulled in last year). (hotline): Starrcade may be from Tokyo this year. (net): MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE will be on Regis & Kathy Lee Tuesday 2 July 1996. (net): The figures being thrown around for what WCW is offering OWEN HART and BRET THE HITMAN HART is three times what they were making in the WWF. I don't think Owen's contract is up for a while, however, so I don't put a lot of faith in this rumor. (net): I'm no longer certain if BRITISH BULLDOG DAVEY BOY SMITH has re-signed on with the WWF. A few weeks ago I broke the story that he had given his 90-day notice, and then that he had only done that to get more money as the WWF's top heel. It was then reported that he had reached agreeable terms with the WWF (though the Diana Smith angle seems to have been dropped). Now reports are coming back in from multiple sources that BBD has been made an offer from WCW which he is considering. (net): Four sources are reporting that the MONGO angle might turn out to be RANDY MACHO MAN SAVAGE sending STEVE MCMICHAEL in as a spy to infiltrate the Horsemen. The 24 June 1996 Monday Nitro had a dark match where NATURE BOY RIC FLAIR defeated MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE. During this match, Ric Flair dumped Savage over the safety railing in front of a group of pre-teen kids. Instead of patting him on the back, or giving him encouragement like most children would do, they stomped on him Horsemen style, even spitting on him as he left their area. This got one of the biggest pops of the night. WCW's WorldWide Wrestling show this past weekend featured some decent bouts. BRAD ARMSTRONG vs MR J L. CHRIS BENOIT (doing his DEAN MALENKO impression by adjusting his wristbands on his way to the ring) vs EDDY GUERRERO. DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE vs KENSUKI SASAKI (originally scheduled to be a main event match on WorldWide). WCWSN 29 June 1996: Rey Misterio Jr -over- Billy Kidman Hacksaw Jim Duggan -over- The Gambler John Tenta -over- Robert Eaton Disco Inferno -over- Johnny Boone (any relation to Brady Boone?) Sting/Luger/Randy Savage -over- Meng/Hugh Morrus/Maxx WCWSN 6 July 1996: American Males ?? Rock-N-Roll Express (Arn and Benoit storm the ring) Canadian Crippler Chris Benoit -over- Cobra Diamond Dallas Page -over- Eddie Jacke Sting/Luger/Savage -over- Dick Slater/The Mauler/VK Wallstreet (net): Here's where WCW will be later this summer: 7/24 Cincinnati, OH 7/25 Charleston, WV 7/26 Muncie, IN 7/27 Dayton, OH 7/31 Corpus Christi, TX 8/01 Beaumount, TX 8/02 Midland, TX 8/03 Lubbock, TX 8/05 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/06 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/10 Sturgis, SD (Hog Wild PPV) 8/12 Casper, Wy 8/14 Colorado Springs 8/15 Denver (Clash of the Champions) 8/16 Norfolk, VA 8/17 Baltimore 8/19 Roanoke 8/26 Palmetto, FL 8/21 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/22 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/23 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/24 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/25 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/27 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/28 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) 8/29 Disney - Orlando, FL (TV Tapings) Wrestlers rumored to be heading into WCW: KEVIN NASH, MABEL of MEN ON A MISSION (1 or 8 July), SIR OLIVER HUMPERDINK, BIGALOW, THE QUEBECERS (as THE FRENCH CONNECTION (July)), TED DIBIASE (as an announcer in late August, for at least three years), BRITISH BULLDOG DAVEY BOY SMITH (end of September), JEFF JARRETT (some time in late October/early November), CHRIS KANYON, PAT TANAKA, CHIP MINTON (olympian), CHRIS JERICHO, LANNY POFFO (as GORGEOUS GEORGE III), CHAVITO GUERRERO, RAVEN, MIKEY WHIPWRECK Wrestlers rumored to be gone from WCW: BELFAST BRUISER (also rumored to be back in a couple months, late fall, or early 1997 (though he denies it)), RENEGADE, BUNKHOUSE BUCK, SHARK (now back working but without a contract), THE ROAD WARRIORS (going to Japan for 4 weeks and probably won't return to WCW), DISCO INFERNO, HARLEM HEAT INJURIES: ROAD WARRIOR HAWK (ankle), JOHNNY GRUNGE (broken arm & thumb) QUOTE: [when TONY SCHIAVONE was talking about having pictures of THE DIAMOND DOLL KIMBERLY copied at Kinko's] "What an appropriate name." --Bobby Heenen = = = = = = = = = = [ WWF ] = = = = = = = = = = (wwf): BRITISH BULLDOG DAVEY BOY SMITH, OWEN HART, and THE MAN THEY CALL VADER will fight "HEARTBREAK KID" SHAWN MICHAELS, AHMED JOHNSON, and THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR at the next In Your House PPV. There are still rumors that Owen and Smith will have the WWF tag titles by then and that all three titles will be on the line that night. (net): LOOSE CANNON BRIAN PILLMAN is one of a very few wrestlers in the WWF who has a guaranteed money contract (as opposed to the $50/match plus "bonuses"). Word is that he is pulling in around $300,000/year. (net): The WWF is now selling WWF mouse pads and screen savers on AOL. (net): THE 1-2-3 KID believes he is ready to return to the ring but McMahon is worried about more injuries, so he won't be in the ring as soon as expected. He may start doing house shows so Vince can tell how ready Kid is without an incident on TV. The earliest he would return to TV would be 22-24 September. (aol): MO (from MEN ON A MISSION) is talking to the WWF about coming back solo. (wwf): PAUL BEARER may switch to being MANKIND's manager in order to generate heat for Cactus. SUNNY mentioned on Raw that she will be managing a singles wrestler. Could be MR PERFECT CURT HENNIG. Could be someone not currently in the WWF. (aol): DUSTIN RHODES may be using a magician gimmick in the WWF soon. (newspaper): LOOSE CANNON BRIAN PILLMAN could start wrestling as soon as August 1996. Monday Night Raw for the next three weeks (thanks Ross!): 1 July 1996: Barry Horowitz over "The Natural" Johnny Callous (or Tracy Smothers as Toby Joe Royal) Mankind over Duke Droese with the finger o doom After the match, Jake and Lawler started fighting on the table. Mankind came over and gave Jake the finger o doom and Roberts had to be helped back to the dressing room. Shawn Michaels over Marty Janetty Cornette came to the ring with the Rockers. Lothario nailed Cornette towards the end of the match. 8 July 1996: Vader (or Owen)/British Bulldog over The Godwins Savio Vega over Justin Hawk Bradshaw Bradshaw hanged Vega with his bullrope afterwards Goldust over Marc Mero They're setting up a Mero/Golddust feud by starting an implied lesbian angle. Marlena was coming on to Sable towards the end of the match and tried to tongue her at one point. 15 July 1996: Ultimate Warrior beat Owen Hart by DQ when Bulldog interfered After the match, Vader came down and squashed Warrior, who sold the injury. During the attack, a fan jumped the barricade and started beating on Cornette and Vader. It would be really hard to miss, so they're going to have to really edit this one or tape it over. Ahmed Johnson beat Bart Gunn (w/Sunny) to retain the IC belt Marc Mero beat PL Ummer (Hopper?) ('Dirty White Boy' Tony Anthony) Ummer came to the ring with a plunger) The Marlena/Sable situation continued. As Mero made his entrance, Goldust's bellhop delivered a gold package (candy?) to Sable which she refused. Shawn Michaels over Bart Gunn (w/Sunny) to retain the World title Michaels threw Gunn out of the ring early on and Sunny got on the ring apron. She yelled at Shawn and he walked up to her and kissed her twice. Gunn tossed Michaels out in front of the ring a little later and yelled to a bunch of young schoolgirls, "C'mon girls! Shriek for me!" After the match while Michaels was in the ring, Vader, Owen, Bulldog, and Cornette came to the ring and surrounded it. Officials escorted Michaels back to the dressing room while Vince got into the ring to interview the four. Cornette plugged the upcoming six-man match at the Vancouver IYH. Ultimate Warrior called in by cellphone during the interview and said he was coming back to the arena. Then he put Shawn Michaels on the phone, who in turn put Ahmed on the phone, each making comments. Cornette then asked why HBK and Ahmed were in the Warrior's car and how Michaels could have gotten in there when he was just in the ring for a match. That was the cue for the three to come down and chase Camp Cornette out of the ring and back to the dressing room. Vader came back, got in the ring to wrestle Ultimate Warrior and was promptly beaten in about ten seconds. Dark matches: Undertaker beat Mankind with the Tombstone Shawn Michaels beat Goldust in about five seconds after a failed attack by Goldust Sports Entertainers rumored to be heading into the WWF: TRACY SMOTHERS, DUANE JOHNSON (son of ROCKY JOHNSON), THE PUNISHER, WILD BILL IRWIN, TOM "JOHNNY GUNN" BRANDI, ALEX PORTEAU, BRIAN CHRISTOPHER (son of Jerry Lawler, even though both just turned heel in the USWA), DOUG FURNAS, DAN KROFFAT, BRET THE HITMAN HART, JIM THE ANVIL NEIDHART (with a new gimmick), MR PERFECT CURT HENNIG (wrestling by mid-November), BUDDY LANDEL (October), SID VICIOUS (the WWF no longer denies it), MARC HENRY (olympian), RON SIMMONS, DISCO INFERNO, THE KILLER BEES, GREG "THE HAMMER" VALENTINE, RAVISHING RICK RUDE, BARRY WINDHAM (if his knee is up to it), JOHNNY SWINGER (THE KING OF SWING), FREDDY JOE FLOYD (from the deep South), THE GOON (a hockey gimmick), MO Sports Entertainers rumored to be heading out of the WWF: THE BODYDONNAS, MANKIND, YOKOZUNA, FATU, BOB BACKLUND (may retire), BOB HOLLY, SUNNY (I really doubt this, but it has been reported by numerous sources). INJURIES: 1-2-3 KID (concussion), THE MAN THEY CALL VADER (leg), THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR (arm/shoulder), GOLDUST (20 stitches from hitting the ringpost wrong), BODYDONNA SKIP (elbow, out until early- or mid-July), OWEN HART (wrist), THE UNDERTAKER, WILDMAN MARC MERO (tongue) = = = = = = = = = = [ ECW ] = = = = = = = = = = (Hack-Man): ECW is still not being shown on Prime-owned Midwest Sports Channel. They have been given the option of airing it but feel it wouldn't pull in as many viewers as what they are airing instead (usually repeats of baseball). If anyone feels like letting them know that there are ECW fans going through withdrawal, they can be reached at (612) 330-2785. Talk to Corey Stolty. (torch): TERRY GORDY will be an ECW regular. Gordy stood up for Paul E in WCW under BILL WATTS when Heyman was accused of wrong-doing. BRIAN PILLMAN is still scheduled to make an appearance at the 30 June 1996 card in New York. There's no way to know if he'll be there until the card is over. INJURIES: Just about everyone. Worth mentioning: STEVE RICHARDS is recovering nicely, SANDMAN (knee), 2 COLD SCORPIO (staph infection in a leg after having a knee drained), SABU (neck) = = = = = = = = = = [ MISC ] = = = = = = = = = = (net): More info on the nationwide return of the AWF (run by SGT SLAUGHTER and TITO SANTANA). The first card will air on 21 September 1996 on CBS. Many stations will air it after WCW Worldwide Wrestling. They can be reached at 1-888-293-2582 (this is toll free) or: AWF P.O. Box 146 Berwyn, IL 60402 These should probably be added to the FAQL along with the WWF, WCW, AWA, etc. In Minneapolis, the AWF will be on WB KLGT-TV 23 and WorldWide will be on UPN KMSP-TV 9. No new news on VERN GAGNE's AWA. (news sources): Titan is suing Turner for defamation of character (Bischoff blaming the power outage on the WWF (did he ever mention the WWF by name when he made the comment?)) and claims that the "invasion" angle is using characters owned by Titan. Preliminary hearings were on Monday, where federal judge Peter Dorsey denied WWFs request for an immediate restraining order against SCOTT HALL and KEVIN NASH. The hearing is set for four days some time in mid-July. (torch): Even if the Hall and Nash deal doesn't go in the WWF's favor in mid-July, the main complaint the WWF has (the almost 30-page lawsuit) will be heard in Connecticut Federal Court several months down the line. One of the requests in the document is that they ask that "WCW be required to state at the beginning, middle, and end of every Nitro program and upcoming PPVs that... consumers who wish to view WWF wrestlers should watch the WWF's programs including Monday Night Raw which airs on the USA Network Monday nights at 9:00 p.m. EST." I get the feeling there will be much discussion on RSPW about this. :-) (torch): To clear up a few facts: The WWF does not have Diesel or Big Daddy Cool registered as a trademark. The WWF has registered Razor Ramon as a trademark. (wwf): Here's some of the stuff sent out *before* Monday: Stamford-- Titan Sports, Inc., the Stamford, Connecticut-based parent company of the World Wrestling Federation, filed a Verified Complaint against Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc., World Championship Wrestling, and Eric Bischoff on Friday in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. The four-count complaint alleges unfair competition, trademark and dress infringement, and false designation of origin, and defamation/trade libel. Titan Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon states that, "It is regrettable and with great reluctance that we filed this complaint, but I felt we have finally been pushed against a wall with no other options to protect my company. My wife and I have committed our adult lives to building the World Wrestling Federation. This company competes very well, and I dare say, stays ahead in the marketplace where quality of programming, creativity, star development, and consumer interest reflects success. However, when a giant competitor uses your very creations to dupe and confuse the public, then the playing field isn't level, and you are forced to fight in a different arena." The complaint asks the court to grant a Temporary Restraining Order and a Preliminary and Permanent Injunction against the WCW et al from making any indication that the WCW and the WWF are in any way affiliated, from using any of Titan's trademarks or trade dress or anything similar which would cause confusion. Titan asks for the disgorgement to it of all profits earned by the infringement, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney fees. INJURIES: KOUJI KANEMOTO (broken leg, out 2 more months) = = = = = = = = = = [ RATINGS ] = = = = = = = = = = 15-17 June 1996 (from hotlines, RSPW, WWW, and Entertainment Weekly): Raw = 2.3 Action Zone = 1.3 WWF Mania = 1.2 Nitro = 3.4 (first hour=3.2; second hour=3.6) Nitro Repeat = 1.5 (first hour=1.2; second hour=1.8) WCWSN = WCW Pro = WCWME = The 15-minute breakdown looked like this: Time Nitro Raw ==== ===== === 8:00 2.7 - 8:15 3.2 - 8:30 3.4 - 8:45 3.6 - 9:00 3.6 1.9 9:15 3.5 2.3 9:30 3.6 2.5 9:45 3.4 2.9 24 June Monday ratings: Raw = Nitro = (first hour=; second hour=) Nitro Repeat = (first hour=; second hour=) For Torch subscription info, write to Wade Keller at kelle050@gold.tc.umn.edu There is an *excellent* two-page write-up on the specifics of the Titan lawsuit. You may also send a question for Alex Marvez to answer at alex_marvez@dni.com For info on upcoming NWA cards, email them at NWAProWrestling@prodigy.com Some decent free hotlines: (212)859-3500 NY info hotline (313)252-2200 x0928 ML Curly info hotline (410)385-9530 Chad Austin hotline (718)921-1400 x1021 (215)602-2856 Philly hotline (mostly ECW) (612)362-3608 Minnesota World TV Wrestling hotline (612)649-4924 Minnesota Mick Karch hotline Hack Notes™ is now available via mailing list (as well as me posting it to RSPW, RSPWI, and putting it on my web page). Back issues are also available on my web page. To be added to the mailing list, send me email. I take no responsibility if I forget to send it out to the mailing list when I post it, as I tend to forget things from time to time. As always, the info in this post comes from various sources: wrestlers, hotlines, online forums, newsletters, and web pages. All names are trademarks of someone else. :-) This article is copyright © 1996 Otto E Heuer. All rights reserved.